How to Hold a Pool Stick? 

Many novices who play Billiards or pool will hold the stick for pool (or the cue) incorrectly. It is a common error to make since it’s difficult to spot for newcomers.

Correctly holding a pool stick is vital as it will help you achieve precision and consistency. The reverse is also true poor hand posture, hand bridge or stroke could cause damage to shot making abilities of players.

The correct way to hold a pool stick can be broken into two parts. Your GRIP and HAND BRIDGE. There’s an BONUS subject at the conclusion in which we will discuss the stroke.

The scenario is for Left-Handed persons (Switch around if an Lefty)

Hands’ positions:

•  
• Right hand is to the bottom of the pool (bottom part of a stick for pool) on which you GRAB
• Left hand will be placed on the table and your hand makes an BRIDGE to the pool stick

If you screw one of these components you’ll completely affect your shooting. It is possible that you’ll miss the shot you’ve tried thousands of times because you hit your ball hard enough because of your grip.

There is no exact spot to position your hand on the stick. However, this is an acceptable range to stay in. In the end, it’s all about the player’s preferences.

It is an intensely energetic game in which players have to put in the correct amount of energy to get the desired outcomes. It is not possible to possess a grip that is extremely rigid since you’ll lose the finesse aspect. The most effective grip you could use is a very loose one. You’re trying to get the smallestenough to hold your fingers so that you are able to move the stick around and back.

Read More : A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Pool Table 2023

The wrong method of gripping:

To please the gods of the pool Please do not make use of the term “DEATH GRIP”. The use of a Death Grip or tight Grip to the cue is likely to cause an incorrect shot. There’s no need to press all five fingers and place your palms on the pool butt throughout all of the shot. It’s not necessary and is a terrible habit to develop.

Exception:

1. 1. If you are able to keep the stick straight while shooting, you can shoot.
2. Certain shots might need it:

• Shot Nip Draw (to not be a foul)

Preferred Loose Grip:

Playing with finesse with a tight grip can be the most effective method. A loose grip allows you to let your pool stick glide naturally without having to swerve across different directions. It will help you avoid what I refer to as”the “chicken wing” where you grasp and your stroke turns to the side. It is my belief that everything will run better if you grip with a loose hand.

My grip for me is one where the index, middle fingers and thumb touch the bottom of the pool. My pinky and ring finger do not touch, except perhaps towards the final stroke, when I’m speeding into my shot, and the two fingers happen to meet.

Bridge:

The hand bridge could be one of the most difficult aspects to master in the beginning of your in the pool. There are many variations of the hand bridge however the two main types are the closed and open bridges.

A hand bridge is your hands that are not dominant placed upon the table (palm on the table) pressing your fingers in a row, then pressing fingers against the finger’s index (or middle) finger to form an “V”. This is the place where you’ll set the cue. Be sure your bridge is sturdy and cannot be moveable to provide an ‘bridge’ that is secure that your cue can slide over.

Bad Hand Bridge (The stick rests on the thumb, and the knuckle in the moist and fleshy part of the hand.)

Open Bridge:

Benefits of an Open Bridge:

• You can view further details about the ball here.
• More simple to design than the Closed Bridge. It is easier to form than the Closed

• Closed Bridge:

Benefits of a Closed Bridge:

• Secure Pool Cue Place the cue in the correct location
• More likely to stay in one spot or side-to-side during the shot.

Remember that a Closed Bridge is still forming the V-shape using the Thumb and Middle Finger (instead that of an index finger)

If you aren’t able to know how to build a bridge correctly It will be difficult to progress beyond an initial level. People who have a poor bridge will experience unreliable hit. A reliable hand bridge is essential for any player to take care of.

If you’re right-handed it is recommended to put your right hand on the heavy bottom piece of a cue for pool (the butt of the pool). You shouldn’t place to place it too close to the bottom rubber piece , but at least a few inches from it.

Stroke:

It’s difficult not to talk about the topic of Stroke since when you hold a stick for pool correctly the way you hold it and how you make your hand bridge is directly connected with your Stroke.

When you’re holding the stick in a proper manner, with a sturdy hand bridge, it is time to improve your stroke. The Stroke that a player uses is the one that has the biggest influence on their ability. This is due to the fact that it influences various things like shooting, applying English or Spin and much many more.

The reverse is also true an unsound stroke could alter an individual’s natural movement of strong stroke, and cause a mess on the player’s shot. A hard hit to the ball or ignoring, applying English or Spin to the ball even though you weren’t planning to – all are consequences of a bad stroke.

I will discuss the most effective pool stroke you can use briefly however, in the near future, I’ll write a detailed article specifically on the strokes in the pool.

Stroke:

It’s difficult not to talk about the topic of Stroke because if you are holding a stick for pool correctly the way you hold it and how you create your hand bridge are directly linked in your Stroke.

When you’re holding the stick properly and have a solid hand bridge, it is time to improve your stroke. The Stroke that a player uses is the one that has the biggest impact on the player’s performance. It is because it impacts numerous things, including shooting, applying English or Spin and much other.

The reverse is also true an unsound stroke could alter an individual’s natural movement of great stroke and ruin the shot of a player. A hard hit to the ball or ignoring, applying English/Spin to the ball even though you didn’t intend to do it – are just a few of the consequences of a bad stroke. I will discuss the most efficient pool strokes to be aware of In the future, I’ll write a complete and detailed post specifically on the strokes in the pool.